Woman left quadriplegic son in woods in Philadelphia, police say
"PHILADELPHIA (Reuters)—A mother abandoned her quadriplegic son in a wooded area of a Philadelphia park for nearly a week so she could visit her boyfriend in Maryland, police said.
The 21–year–old disabled man was found by a passerby on Friday night lying on leaves and covered by blankets with his wheelchair and Bible nearby, said Philadelphia police Lieutenant John Walker."Reuters Press, April 11, 2015.

How Not to Report on Violence against Disabled Children
"In Spokane, a woman stabbed her autistic son in the neck. Here is 100% of the information on the victim (link here):Court documents say the 17–year–old son had several cut marks on his neck and throat, but officials say his wounds were not life threatening.
The rest of the piece is about how hard life must have been on the mother, building sympathy for her. It perpetuates the idea that autism is so terrible that it must be cured, eradicated, vanished. That violence against autistic people is reasonable."thismess.net, February 20, 2015.

Teens arrested in assault of mentally disabled man
"NEW CASTLE, Del. (AP)—Two Delaware teens were charged with assaulting a mentally disabled man after they complained to police that they were being harassed because of a video of the attack that had been posted to social media, authorities said Monday. A third teen turned himself in Monday evening."Associated Press, September 08, 2014.

2 Virginia Schools Blamed For Restraining Students
"WASHINGTON (AP)—The U.S. Department of Education has concluded that two Virginia schools denied students with emotional disabilities the right to a free, appropriate public education by frequently subjecting them to seclusion and physical restraint."Associated Press, July 07, 2014.

CA School Guard Faces Felony for Attack on Wheelchair–Bound Teen
"A surveillance video shows guard Marchell Mitchell escorting 17–year–old Francisco Martinez down the hall in his wheelchair on the morning of May 19 before suddenly handcuffing him, striking him over the head several times and throwing him face–first from his wheelchair onto the floor.
A fellow security guard then restrained Mitchell as students and teachers ran to the scene, according to the video of the incident released by Oakland High School."Reuters Press, May 30, 2014.

Petition to Reinstate School Guard Fired for Beating Wheelchair Teen
"'There are some students that like [the guard] and were sympathetic,' Oakland Unified School District spokesman Troy Flint told ABC News. 'I think part of the response stems from the fact that many of the students view the attack as a peer to peer situation and they are thinking about what they would have done in that situation.' But students are 'overlooking the fact that the security guard is both an adult and a school employee with higher responsibility,' Flint said.
He confirmed some students had signed a petition for Mitchell to get his job back. ABC News, June 05, 2014.

Rabbi charged with stealing 12.4M from NY disabled kids
"A New York rabbi and three others were indicted for stealing over $12.4 million in public aid for disabled pre-schoolers and using it to spruce up their homes, get catering discounts and fund a relative's cosmetics business, authorities said on Tuesday."Reuters Press, May 14, 2014.

CT man accused of holding sister hostage for years
"A 56-year-old woman who was found living in filth had been held captive for years by her brother in dungeon-like conditions inside their Connecticut home, police said Friday."The Associated Press, May 25, 2014

Invisible Lives and DeathsThe Washington Post won the 1999 Pulitzer Prize for Public Service for these two series, "Invisible Lives: D.C.'s Troubled System for the Retarded," and "Invisible Deaths: The Fatal Neglect of D.C.'s Retarded."

Access to Independence of San Diego
8885 Rio Diego Dr., #131
San Diego, CA 92108
Phone: (619) 293-3500
TDD: (619) 293-7757www.a2isd.org
The goal of the Access Center is to aid individuals with disabilities to remain vital parts of their communities, and maintain independent lifestyles. Free services include provision of and training in the use of adaptive technology, independent living skills assistance, job training and placement, housing referral, employment assistance, and advocacy.